OnAirDecode DME (WIP) with an SDR
DME: distance measuring equipment beacons, pulse pairs and ident (work in progress).
- Group
- Aviation
- In the mode list
- DME, 962-1213 MHz
What DME (WIP) is
DME (distance measuring equipment) on 962-1213 MHz: the X or Y channel of the beacon from its pulse pairs, the pair rate and the Morse ident. Work in progress; receive only, needs a radio that tunes to about 1 GHz at 2 Msps or more.
Frequencies and settings
OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is DME, 962-1213 MHz.
What OnAir shows
DME (distance measuring equipment) on 962-1213 MHz: the X or Y channel of the beacon from its pulse pairs, the pair rate and the Morse ident. Work in progress; receive only, needs a radio that tunes to about 1 GHz at 2 Msps or more.
Limits and what it was checked with
Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
Which radio you need
This mode sits at a high frequency, so check that your radio tunes it: a HackRF covers 1 MHz to 6 GHz, and RTL-SDR stops near 1.7 GHz. Some modes at these frequencies also need a fast radio (10 to 20 Msps) or a dish and an LNB.
Receiving and the law
Questions about DME (WIP)
Can I decode DME (WIP) with an RTL-SDR?
Probably not: an RTL-SDR tunes up to about 1.7 GHz. A HackRF (1 MHz to 6 GHz) or another wideband radio is the usual choice for this frequency range.
Is it legal to receive DME (WIP)?
Receiving aircraft broadcasts is legal in many countries, but some restrict listening to or using what you hear. OnAir is a receiver. Check the rules where you live.
Can I try DME (WIP) in OnAir without a radio?
Yes. Most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls before you own a radio.